"Failing" the LSAT

December 3rd, 2007

There has been much wailing and gnashing of teeth after the LSAT this past weekend, so I wanted to share this story abut Sara Blakely, who founded a $150 million company after she choked on the LSAT. The company is called Spanx (cheeky, right?), and they make the insanely popular footless hosiery sold in fancy-pants stores like Neiman Marcus and featured on Oprah's "Favorite Things." Not a bad outcome for someone who "failed," although I'm sure she felt pretty crummy in the days after the LSAT. It's a great reminder not to let one test define who you are or what you're capable of in life.

From the BusinessWeek article: Q: You've said that failure was a huge part of your success—how so?

A: Because I failed the LSAT. Basically, if I had not failed, I'd have been a lawyer and there would be no Spanx. I think failure is nothing more than life's way of nudging you that you are off course. My attitude to failure is not attached to outcome, but in not trying. It is liberating. Most people attach failure to something not working out or how people perceive you. This way, it is about answering to yourself.

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re: "Failing" the LSAT

On January 29th, 2008 LSAT Winner (not verified) says:

I aced the LSAT and I'm nearly a lawyer - I'd rather be a respected lawyer than some one minute, albeit rich, wonder.

re: "Failing" the LSAT

On February 21st, 2008 Shanaynay Alize Jenkins (not verified) says:

LSAT Winner, I think you missed the point. The point of the article is to show people that the LSAT AND Law School are not the "be all and end all of all existence"

There is life after "failing" the LSAT, if one is still determined to be successful...but just not in the legal arena.

It's lawyers like you, I would not want to have representing me...